Building a Culture of Inclusivity

The State Bar of Nevada is committed to building a culture of inclusivity through partnerships with affinity bar associations and the UNLV Boyd School of Law, as well as engagement with members of the bar, mentorship, and recognition of law firm initiatives.

We will curate and share resources that will assist law firms in promoting the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the firm setting and assisting firms to meet their diversity and inclusion goals.

Become a Partner in DEI

The State Bar of Nevada recognizes the commitment that law firms and legal organizations have made to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in their practices. We invite law firms to display their commitment to DEI by becoming a partner in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by proudly displaying this medallion on your firm’s website, marketing materials, or anywhere else you would like to promote your commitment to DEI!

Click here for more information on how to earn a DEI medallion, get recognition for your hard work, and become a partner in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Medallions are earned annually, and the image is provided upon completion of at least 5 DEI initiatives. For more information, contact us at programs@nvbar.org.

Here is a list of our 2024 Partners in Diversity

Here is a list of our 2023 Partners in Diversity

Bryan K. Scott Trailblazer Award

The Bryan K. Scott Trailblazer Award is presented to a member of the state bar who exemplifies the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Nevada’s legal community. Recipients are those who actively work to dismantle institutional bias and who create a welcoming and inclusive professional community by promoting awareness of diverse values, creating or supporting DEI programs, or leading by example. The award is named for its inaugural recipient, Bryan K. Scott, who was, among many other trailblazing roles, the first African American to serve as president of the State Bar of Nevada. A list of past recipients can be found here.

Nevada Trailblazers

The Nevada Lawyer magazine regularly dedicates a column to Nevada’s trailblazers. Some of our recently celebrated trailblazers are highlighted here.

Support for Pipeline and Diversity Programs

Since 2023, the state bar has transferred MCLE attorney and provider late fees to the Nevada Bar Foundation. The Foundation provides annual Foundation Grants to groups that provide, among other activities, education to Nevada attorneys on topics such as civility; well-being; and inclusion, and diversity and pipeline initiatives such as scholarships.

State Bar of Nevada DEI Survey

In partnership with the University of Nevada Grant Sawyer Center for Justice Studies, in 2023, we surveyed Nevada attorneys about their issues and attitudes regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Grant Sawyer Center prepared its findings in this report. We also prepared a condensed report highlighting some of the Grant Sawyer findings.

CLEs

Videos on Demand:

Articles

ASAE “DEI Is Fundamental to Successful Board Leadership”

Forbes “4 Ways to Create a More Diverse Workforce that Inspires Innovation”

NPR “There is No Neutral, Nice White People can Still be Complicit in a Racist Society”

Nevada Lawyer “DEI Crucial Elements of Lawyer Well-Being”

Hiring Guide

As employers know, hiring based primarily on grades or law school attended often does not meet the needs of an evolving profession and society. In addition to leaving out other key indicators for success, such as practical judgment and interpersonal relationship building, this process limits efforts to diversify the legal workforce in law firms and throughout the profession. The process also lacks a robust assessment that employers can use to discover candidates who fulfill an employer’s specific needs and who would be committed to the work, goals, and vision of the employer. Read more and link to the Foundations Hiring Guide.

Cultivating Diversity Opportunities

- - - 1. Establish mentorship programs to grow diversity.
      2. Mentor a law student of a diverse background.
      3. Mentor a diverse high school or college student interested in becoming an attorney.
      4. Invite a diverse attorney to SBN programs and events and introduce them to your colleagues.
      5. Invite a diverse attorney to affinity bar programs and events and introduce them to your colleagues.
      6. Network with diverse bar organizations.
      7. Add diversity-related topics to your Section/Committee meeting agenda.
      8. Recommend a diverse attorney to speak on a SBN CLE panel.
      9. Learn about the impact of subtle, unconscious and implicit bias by visiting Project Implicit and take one of the surveys.
      10. Read an article or attend a CLE about how generational differences may impact communication styles, motivation for success, and work values.

Statement on Diversity, Inclusion and Justice for All

Adopted August 2020

Recent events in Nevada, America and in many countries around the world have led our human race to new levels of both unity and divisiveness. This moment calls each one of us to examine both our core principals of humanity, and our responsibilities to make this world a better place.

The State Bar of Nevada issues this statement as a commitment to our attorney’s oath that we will support the Constitution and the Government and will promote the administration of justice. The State Bar of Nevada stands for justice for all and against racism and the systematic abuse of the justice system.

The State Bar of Nevada has committed to address the issue of race through open dialogues on diversity and inclusion, listening to the obstacles and experiences of people of color, and to explore ways to assist those lawyers and all people to know their legal rights and to protect such. Our work will continue through the sharing of our findings with law firms, promoting the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the firm setting and assisting firms to meet their diversity and inclusion goals.